Upper Campus Back-to-School Information

7/27/2025

Learn more about what's new at Upper Campus this year from Principal Julia Taylor

Greetings Upper Campus Students and Parents,

As we embark on the 2025–26 school year, I am delighted to welcome you back to the Upper Campus of GRACE Christian School! It is truly a blessing to partner with you in nurturing and educating your middle and high school students. This year’s theme—Love God, Love People—reminds us of the heart of our mission. Together, we strive to keep Christ at the center of all we do, encouraging our students to embody their faith through acts of kindness, service, and compassion for one another and our broader community. It is our prayer that every student feels known, valued, and loved at GRACE.

Campus Updates:
Over the summer, our facilities team has worked diligently to create a refreshed and welcoming learning environment. We are deeply grateful to our facilities team and to each of you whose generous support of the GRACE Fund made these projects possible.

A new classroom has been added to the Activity Building, where the athletic offices were previously located. We are maximizing every inch of space on campus to serve our students!
All school walls have been freshly repainted.
Additional parking spaces have been added to the front of the main building to accommodate staff parking, creating more space for student drivers in the rear lot.

Office Relocations:

The Athletic Offices have moved to the former Advancement Office space.
The Advancement Department will now work off-site with the Business Office until our new campus opens in two years.

Faculty Growth and Development:

While our teachers have been away this summer, they have been engaging with the book Hopes and Fears: Working with Today’s Independent School Parents by Rob Evans and Michael Thompson. This insightful resource examines the profound love parents have for their children—and the hopes and anxieties that naturally accompany that love, especially in the context of school.

As a staff, we will use this book to deepen our understanding of the vital partnership between parents and educators and to strengthen our commitment to building relationships grounded in trust and mutual respect. We firmly believe that when families and teachers work together with mutual respect and shared purpose, students flourish. We are truly grateful to walk this journey alongside you.

Additionally, many of our teachers have participated in professional development opportunities, including webinars, conferences, and workshops, over the summer. They have also been hard at work planning curriculum timelines and enhancements to make the upcoming school year meaningful and enriching for your students.

New Faculty and Staff:
The Lord has blessed us with talented and dedicated new team members and has opened doors for some returning staff to step into new roles where they can continue to use their gifts. Please join us in welcoming:

Ms. Samantha Cohen, High School Science
Mrs. Lauren Chriscoe, High School Spanish
Mrs. Lauren Gregory, Middle School Bible & High School History
Mrs. Ellen Kaehler, Piano Accompanist
Dr. Jenna Kryder, Middle and High School Science
Mr. Will Mangum, Middle School Health, High School Bible, Strength and Conditioning
Dr. Nikita Pace, Middle & High School Chorus
Mrs. Melissa Robinson, Gift Processor
Mrs. Kylie Sims, Marketing and Communications Director
Mrs. Laura Stein, Academic Advisor
Mrs. Carol Vercellino, Computer Science

Celebrating new roles for returning staff:

Mrs. Megan Olson, Advancement and Events Coordinator (previously Chorus)
Mrs. Barbara Walston, Middle & High School Band Director & 7th Grade History (previously High School History)
Mrs. Wendy Willard, Director of College Counseling (previously Academic Advisor)

Important Upcoming Dates:

📌 Upper Campus Parent Orientation (Parents Only)
Tuesday, August 12 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Upper Campus Parent Orientation Schedule
Time	Follow Your Student’s MONDAY Schedule
Parents will walk through their student’s schedule, visit the classrooms, and meet the teachers. Arrive early to pick up your student’s schedule, or you can get a copy on Blackbaud. There is a five-minute passing period between each class.
6:00 - 6:10 pm	Period 1
6:15 - 6:25 pm	Period 2
6:30 - 6:40 pm	Period 3
6:50 - 7:00 pm	Period 4
7:05 - 7:15 pm	Period 5
7:20 - 7:30 pm	Period 6
7:35 - 7:45 pm	Period 7
7:50 - 8:00 pm	Period 8

📌 Student Meet & Greet (Parents and Students)
Wednesday, August 13| See multiple times and events listed below
We are excited to welcome our new and returning students back to campus! To help you start the year feeling prepared and confident, we’ve planned a special series of events on August 13 designed just for you. Here’s what to expect:

Time	Event	Location
12:00 p.m.	NEW Grades 8–12 Students and NEW Parents Welcome Meeting If you’re new to GRACE in grades 8–12, join us with your parents to meet the administrative team and learn about their roles and how they support you. We’ll share our mission and vision so you understand the heart behind what we do every day. You’ll also hear about student expectations and discover the many ways we’re here to help you thrive.	Student Center
12:30 p.m.	NEW Grades 8–12 Students Only- Computer Distribution & Technology Training During this session, you’ll receive your school-issued computer and learn how to use our digital tools responsibly and effectively. This is a hands-on time to ask questions so you can start the year confident in your tech skills.	Chapel
1:30 p.m.	NEW Grades 8–12 Students- Schedules Walk through your class schedule with members of our Student Council, who will help you find your classrooms, answer your questions, and share tips from their own experience. This is also a chance to start building friendships before the first day.	Upper Campus Classrooms
2:00–3:30 p.m.	ALL 7th Grade Students- Computer Distribution All incoming 7th-grade students are invited to join us to receive their laptops and hear from our administrative team. We’ll talk about what makes middle school special, what’s expected of you, and how to make the most of your time at GRACE. Students can enter through the main doors and go directly to the chapel.	Chapel
2:30–3:00 p.m.	All 7th-Grade Parent Meeting (while students finish computer distribution) Parents, we invite you to stay for a brief meeting to learn how we’ll partner with you to support your child’s success this year. We’ll share important information from our administrative team about carpool, academics, student life, and communication, and be available to answer your questions.	Student Center
3:30 p.m.	All 7th Grade Students- Schedules Walk through your class schedule with members of our Student Council, who will help you find your classrooms, answer your questions, and share tips from their own experience. They will also show you how to open your lockers!	Upper Campus Classrooms
4:00–5:00 p.m. All School TK–12 Meet and Greet	All School TK–12 Meet and Greet This is our campus-wide gathering for new and returning students and families in grades TK–12. Come meet your teachers, see your classrooms, and reconnect with classmates. Special note for Seniors: Please stop by the front desk during this time to select your parking lot space.	Lower and Upper Campuses- Classrooms

📌 Staggered Start Entry Days (Early release at 12:00 p.m.):

Thursday, August 14: Student Last names A–L only
Friday, August 15: Student Last names M–Z only

Students should only attend on their assigned day and remain at home on the other day. Returning students in grades 8–12 will receive their MacBooks on the first day of school.

📌 First Full Day of School| Monday, August 18

As we look ahead, I encourage you to stay connected and actively involved in our GRACE community. Your partnership is invaluable as we work together to help each student grow academically, spiritually, and socially. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers, our administrative team, or me directly with any questions or concerns.

Welcome back to a new school year filled with promise! May God richly bless our GRACE family as we seek to Love God and Love People in all we do. Let us pray for a year marked by growth, joy, and His faithful guidance.

Warm regards and blessings,

Julia Taylor
Upper Campus Principal

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Upper Campus Back-to-School Information

Lower Campus (TK-6th)

Upper Campus (7th-12th)